A System for Preference Assessment in Mental Health

Background/Rationale: It is important that individuals with serious mental illness have access to treatments that meet their preferences, and that they make informed choices among alternative treatments. Too often, preferences are not being routinely elicited, nor used to guide which treatments are made available. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that is common and produces substantial disability when poorly treated. National treatment guidelines specify that individuals with schizophrenia should receive evidence-based treatments that improve outcomes. For example, obesity is a pressing problem in this population, a side-effect of commonly used medications, and a cause of cardiovascular disease and premature mortality. There are multiple, different psychosocial interventions for weight management that can lead to reduced weight. None are widely used. If individuals' preferences were routinely assessed, then clinicians and managers would know when to make alternative treatments available.

Objectives: This project implements and evaluates a method for routinely assessing the treatment preferences of individuals with schizophrenia. The objectives are to: 1) develop a computerized, kiosk-based system that delivers education regarding treatment options for weight, uses conjoint analysis to elicit preferences, and meets the cognitive needs of individuals with schizophrenia; 2) study the feasibility and acceptability of implementing this method at a mental health clinic; and, 3) evaluate the extent to which this method predicts use of evidence-based weight services, and satisfaction with services at three months.

Methods: This is a prospective evaluation of preferences, treatment use, and satisfaction in individuals with schizophrenia. 94 individuals are enrolled who are overweight and receiving treatment at a busy, urban mental health clinic. These participants use a kiosk system that provides them with education about treatment options, and assesses their preferences regarding alternative treatments for weight. They are then offered a weekly, intensive, evidence-based psychosocial treatment for weight. Research assessments occur at baseline and 3 months. Treatment preferences are analyzed to determine how they relate to use of weight treatment, and satisfaction with treatment.

Significance: People with serious mental illness could benefit from access to effective treatments. Implementing these treatments would be facilitated by routinely collecting information regarding individuals' preferences. If the assessment method in this study is found to be feasible, acceptable, and accurate, it could be used to support implementation of improved care at clinics, medical centers, and community-based programs.

Inclusion criteria

• diagnosis of schizophrenia
• age 18 or older
• Body Mass Index (BMI) of either 28.0-29.9 and gained 10 pounds in the last 3 months; OR, BMI of 30 or above
• able to provide informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• a medical condition for which a weight program is contraindicated
• pregnant and nursing mothers
• attendance at a psychosocial intervention for weight management in the past month
• individuals with legal conservators who manage informed consent
• can not speak English